Flow analysis of tilt-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle under different working conditions

Abstract This study aims to examine the rotor surface pressure distribution, the rotor’s effects on the wing and fuselage, and the surrounding flow field structure during the operation of a tilt-rotor Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). Using Fluent software, numerical simulations are performed to analyze the flow field around the rotor and the pressure variations across its surface, under three operational scenarios: vertical climb, rotor tilt, and high-speed level flight. The findings indicate that the rotor’s surface pressure is predominantly concentrated at the leading edge across all three conditions, although the pressure distribution varies along the blade surface. Additionally, the rotor’s influence on the wing and fuselage is more pronounced during the rotor tilt and high-speed level flight conditions.